“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull [the weeds] up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:28-30
The farmer’s enemy was exceptionally devious. The weeds that he planted in the farmer’s field were a species that looks remarkably similar to wheat while it is growing. In fact, it is only when both plants are mature that you can infallibly tell them apart.
When the farmer’s servants saw the weeds growing in the field, they asked the farmer if he wanted them to go through the field and pull up the weeds. The farmer replied, “No, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.” Since the weeds and the wheat at first looked very similar, it was quite likely that the servants, in their zeal to eradicate the weeds, would unwittingly uproot wheat plants also. That would be counterproductive. Much better just to let both the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest. Then the harvesters would be able to tell them apart and separate them accurately.
As you look at all the other people who are growing around you in this world, can you tell which of them believe in Jesus and which of them do not? You may be able to judge by a person’s words and actions whether they believe in Jesus. But you cannot know for sure unless you look into their heart. That is something only God can do. Only God knows infallibly who believes in him and who does not.
Thankfully, God has not given us the task of trying to separate believers from unbelievers. That is a job he has reserved for himself, and he will carry it out unerringly on the last day of this world’s existence. In the meantime, our task remains to grow as wheat alongside the weeds in whatever part of the world where God has planted us, confident that God, who alone can read the heart, unfailingly knows those who are his.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, enable me to live my faith in this world, confident that you know those who belong to you. Amen.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.” Matthew 13:27,28
When weeds grow in your garden, whose fault is it? On one level, it’s not really anyone’s fault, since weeds simply are a part of life in this sin-cursed world. But at the same time, if you either negligently or purposely allow the weeds to continue to grow, you have no one but yourself to blame when the weeds take over.
“Whose fault is it that there are weeds in the field?” the farmer’s servants, in essence, asked the farmer in Jesus’ story. “We know you planted good wheat seed in the field. So, where did all these weeds come from?” The farmer’s answer was clear and unequivocal. “An enemy did this,” he replied. It was not the farmer’s fault that weeds were growing in his field. He had not planted them there. Rather an enemy who was determined to ruin the farmer’s field had planted those weeds there.
Whose fault is it that there are weeds in this world? In other words, whose fault is it that there is evil in this world? If God is the almighty Lord of all as he says he is, why does evil exist at all? If God truly is truly in control of all things, wouldn’t he make sure that no evil ever entered his world? Isn’t God to blame for the weeds that have invaded his field?
God’s answer to those questions is clear and unequivocal: “An enemy did this.” The Devil, not God, is the one who brought evil into this world. Satan tempted Adam and Eve, our first parents, to sin. And when they sinned, evil entered our world.
God, however, immediately promised to send a Savior to overcome sin, Satan, and all evil. He fulfilled that promise for us in Jesus. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work,” the apostle John tells us (1 John 3:8). And by his perfect life and innocent suffering and death on our behalf, Jesus did just that.
So, when you see weeds in the world, don’t blame God. Instead, blame the enemy. And give thanks to God that he sent his Son into the world to destroy the devil’s work for us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, whenever I encounter evil, help me to remember that you are not its source. Rather you are the one who sent your Son so that he might overcome all evil for me. Amen.
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.” Matthew 13:24-26
Gardening is hard enough without someone trying to sabotage your efforts. It already requires a lot of vigilant work to keep the pests from chewing up your plants and the weeds from invading your garden. You don’t need one of your neighbors purposely planting weeds in your garden.
That, however, is precisely the situation in which the farmer in Jesus’ parable found himself. He worked hard to plant his field with good wheat seed. But one night, while the farmer was sleeping, one of his enemies came and planted weed seeds in the same field. When the wheat sprouted and started to grow, so did the weeds. And so, the farmer’s field was filled with both wheat and weeds.
Jesus later explained that this story was not ultimately about a farmer with weeds in his wheat field. It was actually about the world in which we live. In this story, Jesus is the farmer. The field is the world. The good wheat seed is all those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. And the weeds are those who do not believe in him.
Just as there were weeds and wheat growing together in the farmer’s field, those who believe in Jesus and who do not are living side-by-side in this world. This is unavoidable because we are sinners who still are living in a world cursed by sin. Those who believe in Jesus long for the day when they are finally freed from the curse of sin and live in the total perfection of heaven. But they are not there yet.
And so, believers in Jesus continue to live as wheat among the weeds. Even when it seems as if there are far more weeds in this field than there is wheat, they can remember that this field still belongs to God. Under his care and protection, they continue to grow in the place where he has planted them. And they remain confident that their God who planted them here will never allow the weeds to overwhelm them or choke them out.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to live as your wheat among the weeds, confident that you remain in control and will always care for and protect me. Amen.
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.
Please note: Worship Service Restart Plans (Bulletin pages 11, 12) Worship f.)Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
M: O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Grant us, Lord, the spirit to think and do what is right that we, who cannot do anything that is good without you, may by your help be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Be seated.
✠ T H E W O R D ✠
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONJoel 3:12-16
Summary: The Lord calls his enemies to assemble and advance. Let them do what they will. He sits on his throne and he is the Judge. The forces of darkness are many, but their destruction is as sure as the fall of ripe grain before a sickle or grapes under a press. For those who trust in the Lord, he is their shelter and refuge.
“Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow– so great is their wickedness!” Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
PSALM OF THE DAY 18
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain: The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and by deliverer;*
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;*
he rescued me from my powerful enemy.
He brought me out into a spacious place;*
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Refrain
You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;*
my God turns my darkness into light.
You save the humble*
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
You give me your shield of victory,*
and your right hand sustains me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
SECOND LESSONRomans 8:26, 27 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: When God’s people are suffering, sometimes they don’t know what to pray. Here we have the gracious promise that God the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf! With such a perfect petition prayed for us, we can be sure that God’s good and gracious will is done!
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 55:11b
M: Alleluia. My Word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSONMatthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Summary: In righteous zeal, Jesus’ followers have been tempted to destroy the enemies of God’s Church. In this parable Jesus shows why his church must never use the sword. First of all, we may destroy believers together with unbelievers. Secondly, judgment of the wicked belongs to God and his angels on the last Day.
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“`An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“`No,’ he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'”
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Please be seated.
HYMN 541: 1-4 Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide
*Sung by soloist.
SERMONETTERomans 8: 26, 27
“A Helping Hand From Our Heavenly Hook-up”
When our prayers are lacking
When our prayers need direction
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR BLESSINGS ON THE CHURCH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Intercessory prayers listed on page 10.
LORD’S PRAYER
*Spoken by congregation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
BLESSING
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 541: 5-7 Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide!
*Sung by soloist.
Announcements
Next week’s theme:
August 9, 2020 10th Sunday after Pentecost
“Wisdom from on High”
St. John’s Lutheran Church Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mecan
Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19
July 30, 2020
When will we worship? An outdoor Saturday service is being added to help members worship in a safe environment. This service will replace the Wednesday evening service.
Saturdays @ 4:30 pm (Any St. John’s or Emmanuel members)-Beginning Saturday, August 15
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s (St. John’s members 55 and older)
Online worship services continue found at stjohnsmontello.org
Where will we worship? Groups should be 50 or less indoors. To provide safe worship experiences, the new Saturday worship service will be held outdoors when weather permits.
Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
Sunday @ 8:00 am at Emmanuel in the sanctuary
Sunday @ 10:00 am at St. John’s in the sanctuary
How will we worship? Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued and new ones enacted immediately:
Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will currently be optional at all services (see below**) Masks will be available.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service. Some seating and a canopy may be available.
The congregation is asked to not sing for the time being.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Saturday before the 2nd and 4th Sundays will also include communion. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies
As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.
Final Judgment Belongs to God
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – A
God’s Word for Today
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” These words of our God place the responsibility for judgment—especially the final judgment—solely into the hands of God himself. Of course, to the person without Christ, that is a frightening notion, for none will escape the judgment of the Lord. But to God’s children, who still struggle daily with temptation and sin, these words are a sobering reminder of our evil nature but also an opportunity to remember that our good Savior has already borne that judgment for us.
First Lesson (Joel 3:12-16)
Of what is the harvest a picture?
While God has chastised his people for their wickedness, ultimately he would judge the heathen nation that oppressed them. What promise of grace does Joel proclaim?
Second Lesson (Romans 8:26-27)
What assurance do Christians have, even in the worst of times?
In what manner may we confidently assume our “unspeakable” petitions are prayed?
Gospel (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43)
In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus indicates that the sons of God will live along side the sons of evil until the end. How can we tell who’s who?
How will God’s victory finally be seen by all?
Answers:
While a physical harvest of crops seems also to be coming, the symbolism here points to the judgment “harvest,” where God will bind up those who are against him and destroy them in eternal hellfire. Compare Revelation 14:14-20.
God’s own people, also wicked, had already received punishment at the hands of the oppressors. But, faithful to his promises, the Lord also remembers his people and remains their refuge and stronghold (verse 16).
Even in the worst of times, God is there to help. Sometimes our situation may be so severe that we don’t even know how or what to pray. When our own spirit fails, the Holy Spirit takes up our petitions for us and intimately shares our needs with our Father in heaven.
Since the Holy Spirit is carrying it, and since he and the Father share a common deity, knowing even each other’s minds, our petitions will be conveyed perfectly, in accordance with God’s good will.
Compare 1 John 3:10. We will look to outward actions and words as indication of who the believers and unbelievers are.
While Satan and his evil army are given freedom in this world and even sometimes appear to have the upper hand, yet in the end—the final judgment—all those creatures found outside the family of Christ will be destroyed in everlasting fire, a fact of which Satan’s forces are keenly aware (1 Peter 3:18-20). God keep us strong in faith and in our walk with our Savior, and bring us at last to our heavenly inheritance!
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Storms can come up quickly upon the 1,695 square mile lake on the Minnesota/Canada border known as Lake of the Woods. At times, fishermen are too far from camp to make it back before the life-threatening weather hits. How do they survive in these situations? They often run their boats up on one of many rock islands and wait out the storm, anchored on the rock.
Have you ever been caught in a storm of life? Not just a weather storm, but a time when adversity comes upon you suddenly, like a black thundercloud rising on the horizon? When worries seem to be flooding you? When the trials of life flash before you like lightning and send you searching for shelter? How do you survive a storm like this?
Our Bible reading for today from Psalm 18 provides a solution: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” You see, in waves of worry, you have a solid rock to anchor on: A God who promises to be with you ALWAYS, to the very end of the age. In a flood of anxiety, you have his unchanging promise: In ALL THINGS he works for the good of those who love him. In the howling winds of pain and suffering, you have his unchanging guarantee: There is NOTHING that can separate you from his love! After all, he sent Jesus to prove it by giving up his life to save you from your sins and give you eternal life!
And because of those promises, you will be able to stand in every storm of life. Why? Because you can rest on your rock—your unchanging God.
Prayer:
Lord, when I face storms in my life, remind me to take refuge in you. Amen.
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. Psalm 65:1-4
Are you feeling overwhelmed today? There are plenty of things to overwhelm us: appointments and assignments, meetings and deadlines, practices and games. Then there is the never-ending list of chores: make dinner, wash the dishes, vacuum the floor, clean the garage, do a load of laundry…and another load…and another load…and another load. It can all be a bit overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be great if someone miraculously took away all of these responsibilities? What a sense of relief you would have!
Psalm 65 talks about being overwhelmed, not by earthly responsibilities, but by sins against your heavenly Father. When you sin, your conscience weighs you down with guilt. It might be a sin you committed yesterday or years ago. It might be a sin you committed against a family member or a friend. It might be a sin that everyone knows about or a sin that no one but God knows about. It might not be a particular sin but rather the multitude of your sins that’s overwhelming.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone miraculously took away all of those sins? What a sense of relief you would have! Well, someone did. His name was Jesus, and when he died on a cross two thousand years ago, he took all of your sins with him. Because of what Jesus did, Psalm 65 can say, “When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.”
God has forgiven your sins. Let go of your guilt. Live this day in the freedom of his forgiveness.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving my sins through Jesus. Lighten the load on my heart with this good news and let me live this day in the freedom of your forgiveness. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
